In a quirky achievement that has fascinated roadside attraction fans for decades, the world’s heaviest ball of twine has been recognized as a global record‑holder thanks to the dedication of James Frank Kotera, known locally as “JFK.”
Since 1979, Kotera devoted tens of thousands of hours to winding twine into a massive spherical mass on his property in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. Over more than four decades of consistent work, his twine ball grew to an estimated 24,100 pounds (about 10,931 kg) — making it the heaviest ball of twine ever constructed.
Kotera, who began the project later in life, said he wrapped each piece of twine after weighing it, methodically tracking the ball’s growth. Over the years, curious visitors would stop by to watch his progress and chat with him as he added strand after strand.
Following Kotera’s passing in January 2023, community members and volunteers rallied to preserve his remarkable creation. In 2024, the colossal twine ball was moved to a permanent display site near the Highland Town Hall, where it now rests under a protective shelter built by local supporters.
The Lake Nebagamon twine ball joins a fascinating family of oversized twine spheres across the United States, including notable examples in Darwin, Minnesota and Cawker City, Kansas, each with its own claim to “largest” based on different criteria such as weight, circumference, or construction method.
